A Little Help from Their Friends

The Kapalua Trail Run is always a wonderful mix of Maui runners, international competitors, local schoolteachers, the staff of T S Restaurants, and friends and families of athletes competing in the XTERRA World Championship, held the following day.

Fiona Paterson flew all the way from Scotland to compete in the Hula Grill XTERRA 5K. Well, perhaps she also came to watch her daughter, two-time XTERRA World Champ, Lesley Paterson, compete in XTERRA Worlds.

Once she crossed the finish line, Fiona was all business, discussing her race with her daughter, who gave her a big hug.

Also in the race was the much-beloved Charlotte Mahan,who completed her first Ironman when she was 70, and is a inspiration for many XTERRA athletes.

2017 Ms. XTERRA, Deanna McCurdy – who was the first American amateur female at this year’s XTERRA Worlds – regards Mahan as a true mentor.

“I hope to be more like her,” said McCurdy. “How many people do you know enter their first full distance Ironman triathlon after the age of 70, win their age group, then race XTERRA Worlds six weeks later?”

Mahan won her age group in the Duke’s Beach House XTERRA 10K on Saturday, where she received a congratulatory hug from two-time XTERRA Pan Am Tour Champ Suzie Snyder.

Lizzie Orchard’s mother, Annette Orchard from Auckland, won her age group (60-64) in the 10K, and Emma Garrard’s family cleaned up, with David Garrard from Great Britain winning his age group (70-74) and Dick Garrard finishing third in his (65-69).
“If you love it, there is no reason to stop,” said Grew from the podium. “Dave DeSantis and Ron Hill taught me that.”